The SDA prophet

[current occupant]

Do SDA's still regard Ellen White as having Canonical authority?

[davidandme]

Do SDA's still regard Ellen White as having Canonical authority?

No, and they never did, except by a minority.  She herself said that she was the lesser light.  God bless.

[current occupant]

Do SDA's still regard Ellen White as having Canonical authority?

No, and they never did, except by a minority.  She herself said that she was the lesser light.  God bless.

So who was the minority that did regard her as having Canonical authority??

[OldDad]

From the "SDA Church Manual 17th Edition"

18. Gift of Prophecy
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As the Lord’s messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)

If it's in their church manual, it is certainly NOT the "minority view."

[current occupant]

yup!! Ellen White IS the 18th fundamental belief of the SDA church.

From the "SDA Church Manual 17th Edition"

18. Gift of Prophecy
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As the Lord’s messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)

If it's in their church manual, it is certainly NOT the "minority view."

I would like to see it explained, how the part about "continuing and authoritative source of truth" is about anything else except a claim to Canonical authority. 

If it is not Canonical authority, what kind of authority is it?

[Amo]

Many people are determined to believe what they will, regardless of the evidence, or efforts of others to show them differently.  It becomes a waste of time to try to convince them.  I have already proved to Old Dad that the links he provides at the bottom of his messages are filled with twisted quotes, and outright lies.  He could care less that he is promoting outright proved lies, there is nothing that can be done for an individual of this nature. 

Tell us current occupant, what would convince you that you are mistaken?  Would several quotes from EGW herself, and official quotes from the SDA organization to the effect that all her writings are to be judged by the word of God, and not the other way around?  I think not. I could be wrong but I suspect you have already made up your mind on the issue, and will not be moved.  Therefore, why should we waste our time beating a dead dog with a stick?

[davidandme]

From the "SDA Church Manual 17th Edition"

18. Gift of Prophecy
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As the Lord’s messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)

If it's in their church manual, it is certainly NOT the "minority view."

Old dad did you read the actual article that you posted?  It doesn't say any where that sister White belongs to the canon.

[Bocephus]

Maybe not canonical as in the same level as the bible.  More like "the Book of Mormon" with regards to doctrine and being a "source of truth."

[OldDad]

I have already proved to Old Dad that the links he provides at the bottom of his messages are filled with twisted quotes, and outright lies.

Amo has proved nothing of the sort - he has distorted what is on the sites, created straw men and offered "proof" that was seriously lacking in conviction or credibility.

Here's some statements by actual SDA ministers and leaders:

"...and yet, my dear friends, she did one of the greatest works that I have ever known since John the revelator. She’s to me one of the greatest prophets that have ever lived. Why? Because she had the same gift that Daniel had..." -- Stanley Harris, cassette tape "Greatest Prophet Since John", from God's Last Call, tape #811, SDA pastor.

"The Bible and the writings of Ellen white are inerrant..." -- Feb. 11, 1978, Sabbath School-Quarterly; teacher's Edition, p. 112

"I do not believe that here is a difference between the degree and quality dimension of the inspiration of any biblical writer and Ellen White...I believe that the Desire of Ages, for example, is just as high in quality or degree of inspiration as the Gospel according to Luke...What is the best way to keep it all in perspective and end up with Ellen White being for this church what Luke was for his generation and not one whit less in contribution and authority." -- Louis Venden, on cassette tape "The Wilson Committee-Rea On Ellen G. White"

"Elder I. H. Evans, the General Conference representative at the conference declared: 'When the statement from Sister White is read, I am sure that the majority of our brethren will feel as we feel tonight - that the Lord has spoken, and we will obey."'-Quoted in "The Invisible Irishman", p. 484, by Merlin Neff

"The Bible speaks to all the world; the writings of Ellen White were addressed primarily to the remnant church. Herein lies the only significant difference between them. The person who listens to both with an open mind will hear the same voice speaking through both, with equal authority." -- Raymond F. Cottrell, as quoted in "What Ellen White Has Meant to Me," p. 60

"The quality of inspiration of Ellen White is equal to that of the Bible writers..." -- Ron Graybill, at that time Assoc. Sec. EGW Estate, in talk given at Southern Missionary College 9/27/80

"Ellen G. White was inspired in the same sense as were the Bible prophets.'' -- Kenneth H. Wood, Editor "Review" as quoted in RH 9/4/80, p. 15

"She was inspired by God as were the biblical writers..." -- The late Don Neufeld, Assoc. Editor "Review" as quoted in "What Ellen White Has Meant to Me,", p. 157

"I believe that both Ellen G. White and the Apostle Paul were true prophets who wrote under the influence of the Holy Spirit. My reason for believing in the inspiration of one is identical with my reason for believing in the inspiration of the other."- Robert Olson, Sec. EGW Estate, as quoted in "What Ellen White Has Meant to Me," p. 165

"The Scriptures indicate… that prophets have a gift of the Holy Spirit. Ellen White had that gift and she was canonical insofar as doctrinal interpretation authority is concerned..." -- Letter from D. A. Delafiel trustee of the EGW Estate, to P. C. Drewer, June 24, 1981.

"...the writings of Ellen White are inspired in the same sense as the Bible is inspired..." – Phillip Follett, taken from cassette tape "What Happened At Glacier View", PUC, August 23, 1980

[current occupant]

and anyone else that can shed some light...............

Do SDA's still regard Ellen White as having Canonical authority?

No, and they never did, except by a minority.  She herself said that she was the lesser light.  God bless.

So who was the minority that did regard her as having Canonical authority??

[OldDad]

Gary is right that most SDA's would not say that EGW's writings are "canonical" -- but if they hold them to be equal to the canon in inspiration and authority, what's the difference?

Nothing.

[current occupant]

One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen. G. White . As the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)

I would like to see it explained, how the part about "continuing and authoritative source of truth" is about anything else except a claim to Canonical authority. 

If it is not Canonical authority, what kind of authority is it?

Moderator edited to fix quote.

[current occupant]

Tell us current occupant, what would convince you that you are mistaken?  Would several quotes from EGW herself, and official quotes from the SDA organization to the effect that all her writings are to be judged by the word of God, and not the other way around?  I think not. I could be wrong but I suspect you have already made up your mind on the issue, and will not be moved.  Therefore, why should we waste our time beating a dead dog with a stick?

Having experienced Ellenology first hand, I will say that I have never heard an SDA say that Ellen White was wrong about anything she wrote or did so I am not surprised that adherents defend her.


Tell us, Amo, what would it take to convince you that Ellen is considered and promoted as Canonical within the membership and leadership of the SDA denomination?

[davidandme]

yup!! Ellen White IS the 18th fundamental belief of the SDA church.

From the "SDA Church Manual 17th Edition"

18. Gift of Prophecy
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As the Lord’s messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)

If it's in their church manual, it is certainly NOT the "minority view."

I would like to see it explained, how the part about "continuing and authoritative source of truth" is about anything else except a claim to Canonical authority. 

If it is not Canonical authority, what kind of authority is it?

That just means that her statements must be taken seriously and that she has a special message for SDA's.  No SDA doctrine is based on Mrs. White.  She is not infallible either.  I know that people that have issues with the SDA church will say the contrary.  But the truth still remains.  God bless.

[davidandme]

Tell us current occupant, what would convince you that you are mistaken?  Would several quotes from EGW herself, and official quotes from the SDA organization to the effect that all her writings are to be judged by the word of God, and not the other way around?  I think not. I could be wrong but I suspect you have already made up your mind on the issue, and will not be moved.  Therefore, why should we waste our time beating a dead dog with a stick?

Having experienced Ellenology first hand, I will say that I have never heard an SDA say that Ellen White was wrong about anything she wrote or did so I am not surprised that adherents defend her.


Tell us, Amo, what would it take to convince you that Ellen is considered and promoted as Canonical within the membership and leadership of the SDA denomination?

I have been an SDA for 41 years and what you are saying is simply not true..  Mrs White wrote many things.  Some of it was inspired and some of it was not.  She was a human being just like us.  You might find some SDA's that might tell you something different, but remember the SDA church is not a monolithic structure.  The church does not have a Pope.  But most of the SDA's in the world do not claimed that Mrs White was infallible.  In Europe most of the SDA's rarely read her books.  She is more popular here in the U.S.  God bless.